Aimed results

Create a list of different models of nomadic bases and intentional living practices

Create a list of potential nomad bases in USA

Create a core working group in NY

Create long lasting connections between participants

Invitation

Who are the neo-nomads? How do we travel? How do we survive on budget? How do we deal with borders? And foremost, how can we live together, learn, share, take decisions and cooperate? What are the experiences in United States and how do they differ/are similar to Europe?

A loose network of nomads, long term travelers, hackers, facilitators and hospitality exchange addicts is hosting a conference on (postmodern/neo)nomadic culture, with a strong focus on setting up spaces/bases/places that are open for nomads. The conference takes place in Berlin at the end of November. See http://sharewiki.org/en/she

As a follow up of this conference, a gathering has been set up in New York on the 5-6th of December. Hosted by Ganas, a well established intentional living community located in Staten Island, SHE in NYC has the goal of promoting neo-nomadic culture, long term traveling and the creation/connection of nomadic bases through brainstorming and sharing experiences from the field.

To discuss about these topics, we want to bring together:

Nomadic travelers and nomadic workers

Full-time Hospitality Hosts

People interested in long term hospitality

People interested in nomad culture

People interested in Open Space and facilitation

People interested setting up Real Social Networks

People who live in larger shared houses intentional communities

People interested in freeganism and utopias

People interested in sharing skills on the topics mentioned above

Nomads living outside NY are invited to join and will be hosted at Ganas (up to 10 people). We hope to find hosts for the rest of the participants in NYC area.

For nomadic base we refer to any space in which long term travelers who believe in hospitality exchange can rest without feeling hosted. And where their participation to the base is essential.

Structure of the gathering

Friday, 4th:
19 pm
Pre-meeting at Brooklyn Urban Sanctuary with people from New York area and participants of the gathering to get to know each other and dumpster diving.

Saturday, 5th
12.00 pm: meeting Brooklyn Urban Sanctuary
Nomads and long term hosts get to know each other

12.00-13.00pm Brunch

13.30 Introduction to the nomad base concept and report of the conference SHE in Berlin

14.00 A plenary session for our Open Space agenda-setting. We sit in a circle, introduction to the day and open space process, do a round of people (introduce yourself and share your intentions of why you are here) and set the agenda.

15.30 Open Space Sessions 1 + 2

18.00 Plenary session

20.00 Dinner at Brooklyn Urban Sanctuary

after 22.00: Social activities

Sunday, 6th

12 am: meeting at Ganas, cooking together

14.00 A plenary session for our Open Space agenda-setting. We sit in a circle, introduction to the day and open space process, do a round of people (introduce yourself and share your intentions of why you are here) and set the agenda.

15.30 Open Space Sessions 3 + 4

17.30 Plenary session

18.00 Dinner at Ganas

20.00 Conclusions

Open Space Technology

In conferences, important things happen during coffee breaks. There participants discuss what really matters to them. They exchange ideas, laugh, sorrows, network and plan projects. Based on this phenomenon Open Space emerged. In other words, Open Space is one big break – with all its characteristics: energetic, self-organizing, adapted by participants to their needs, unpredictable, chaotic, spontaneous, very productive and definitely fun.

Open Space in a nutshellFour Principles

1.Whoever comes is the right people.
2.Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
3.Whenever it starts is the right time.
4.When it is over, it is over.
and One Law...
Law of Two Feet: every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Individuals can make a difference and must make a difference. If that is not true in a given situation, they, and they alone, must take responsibility to use their two feet, and move to a new place where they can make a difference.

No preset agenda

People come together in a circle. After the opening of the space everyone has the opportunity to post issues and questions they care for. Within the first hour and a half of the gathering, participants create an agenda and self-organize in parallel breakout sessions.

Self-organization

Every issue may be addressed. In order to move forward, there is no better way than to start from what a person is passionate about. All those who share the same or a similar interest, question or concern get together to work on it. Team learning and cooperation take place. The potential for commitment is increased because participants take ownership of issues and procedures. That way, most hidden resources of the system are activated.
The role of the facilitator

Following the welcome and the opening of the space by the sponsor the Open Space facilitator introduces the process. Afterwards the facilitator´s main task is to hold time and space. Non-intervention keeps the space open for self-organization and the unfolding of the power of the participants and the system. The facilitator knows that participants are competent and able to manage all situations – even when there is a lot of conflict. Using this approach the result is powerful effective learning, planning, decision-making and acting. It strengthens what is already there: passion, participation, responsibility and performance.ù
Prerequisites for Open Space Technology gatherings

Open Space Technology is not a recipe for every situation. It is a great approach for exploring issues, planning for the future, navigating through chaos and conflict, building teams, improving communication and re-/ energizing an organization. It is not useful in situations in which people think they know the answer already. Leaders who initiate Open Space must be ready for the unexpected and open to change. Their intention should be transparent. The theme for the meeting should represent a real issue of interest.

Given the following preconditions Open Space “rocks”

· high levels of complexity in terms of the issues to be dealt with

· high levels of diversity in terms of the participants and the system(s) that will have to promote the issues